Waukegan Walmart fire causes $1 million in damage

Waukegan fire officials said damages could total $1 million after someone set fire to a clothes rack at the Waukegan Super Walmart.

Fire Chief Dan Young said police are investigating the fire that struck about 11 a.m. Monday in a merchandise aisle of the Super Walmart in the 3900 block of Fountain Square Place.

Young said the fire was intentionally set and investigators are studying the accelerant used.

Firefighters from a neighboring department, who were shopping in the store, worked with store employees to extinguish the fire, he said. However, smoke damage spread throughout the store, and the building was closed for the day.

The store faced damages of about $1 million because officials were forced to throw out many food, clothing and pharmaceutical items damaged by the fire and smoke, he said. In addition, the store normally generates about $250,000 in sales a day.

"Whoever set the fire was putting quite a few people at risk," Young said. "There were 200 employees in the building when the fire started, not to mention the number of customers inside the building. Thankfully, the fire was put out and the store evacuated rather quickly."

The Walmart was reopened at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Young said, after inspections by the fire department, building department and the Lake County Health Department.